Korean J Blood Transfus.  2007 Dec;18(3):254-259.

Plasma Exchange in a Patient with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis

• Lee YS
• Park JR
• Song KS
• Kim YL
• Suh JS

Abstract

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a systemic autoimmune disease with a poor prognosis in untreated patients, and combination therapy with steroidsand cyclophosphamide is the current standard treatment. Treatment with immunosuppressive agents results in high remission rates; however, there is a considerable morbidity related to the immunosuppressive state, such as life-threatening infections. To reduce serious immunosuppressant-related adverse effects, potentially promising treatment options, including plasma exchange, cytapheresis, administration of intravenous immunoglobulin and TNF-alpha blocking agents have been developed. We performed plasma exchange with steroid pulse therapy for a 52 year-old female patient with pulmonary hemorrhagewith ANCA-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis. After combination therapy, the pulmonary hemorrhage and renal function recovered and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA decreased.

Keyword

ANCA; Vasculitis; Plasma exchange

MeSH Terms

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
Autoimmune Diseases
Cyclophosphamide
Cytapheresis
Cytoplasm*
Female
Glomerulonephritis
Hemorrhage
Humans
Immunoglobulins
Immunosuppressive Agents
Middle Aged
Peroxidase
Plasma Exchange*
Plasma*
Prognosis
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Vasculitis*
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
Cyclophosphamide
Immunoglobulins
Immunosuppressive Agents
Peroxidase
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha